Brightness not changing in Windows 11? Here's how to fix it

Is your screen too dim to see or uncomfortably bright to use, and pressing the brightness keys doesn't change anything? Or is the brightness slider grayed out or missing altogether? This issue can stem from display driver problems, app interference, Fn lock being enabled, and more. Here are some fixes you can try to resolve it.

Check if the Fn Lock is Enabled

On most laptops, you can adjust brightness using the function keys, but this typically works only when the Fn lock is disabled. If the Fn lock is enabled, you may need to hold the Fn key while pressing the brightness function keys. So, try adjusting the brightness both ways-by pressing the brightness keys alone and by holding the Fn key along with them.

If the brightness changes using either method, the issue isn't with your system-you just need to figure out whether Fn lock is enabled. On some laptops, an indicator light on the Fn key shows its status-it stays on or blinks when enabled and turns off when disabled. However, if the brightness keys don't work in either case, move on to the next fix.

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Adjust the Brightness Slider in Settings

If the brightness keys on the keyboard aren't working, you should adjust the brightness directly in the Settings app. To do this, right-click the Start button and open "Settings," then navigate to System > Display, where you'll find the brightness slider. Drag the slider left or right to adjust your screen brightness.

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If adjusting the brightness this way works, it indicates that the problem lies with using the keyboard keys, so you should rely on the slider to change the brightness instead. However, if the slider is missing or completely grayed out, it may point to a more serious underlying problem. In that case, proceed with the remaining fixes.

Update, Roll Back, or Reinstall Display Drivers

Your display drivers directly control your screen's behavior, including brightness adjustments. If the brightness slider is missing, drivers could be outdated or corrupted, so updating them is necessary. To do this, open Device Manager, expand "Display Adapters," right-click your graphics device, select "Update Driver," and follow the on-screen instructions.

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If the issue started after a driver or Windows update, try rolling back the driver. Right-click your display adapter, select "Properties," go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver."

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If that doesn't help, reinstall the driver. Right-click your graphics device, choose "Uninstall Device," then download the latest driver from the manufacturer's website and install it manually.

Turn Off Adaptive Brightness

Windows adjust screen brightness based on ambient lighting and optimize brightness and contrast according to the content displayed. Both of these features can interfere with brightness control, so you should disable them. To do this, go to Settings > System > Display, expand the "Brightness" section, and uncheck "Change brightness automatically when lighting changes."

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Next, set "Change brightness based on content" to "Off" from the dropdown menu. Additionally, Windows may lower screen brightness when the battery is low. To make sure this isn't affecting your brightness control, go to System > Power & Battery, expand the "Battery Saver" menu, and turn off the toggle for "Lower screen brightness when using battery saver."

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Run a Device Diagnostic Scan

Windows includes a lesser-known troubleshooting tool called the Device Diagnostic Tool, which can help resolve hardware misconfigurations, driver conflicts, or system glitches that may be preventing brightness adjustments from working. You can run this tool directly from the Command Prompt to see if it fixes the issue.

To use it, type Command Prompt in Windows Search, right-click the app, and select "Run as Administrator." Then, enter the following command and press Enter:

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter window will open. Click "Next" and follow the on-screen instructions to allow Windows to scan your system for display or hardware problems.

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Try Changing Brightness in Safe Mode

If none of the above fixes resolve the issue, a third-party application or service may be interfering with the brightness control. So, you should boot your computer into Safe Mode, which runs Windows with only essential drivers and services, helping you isolate any third-party conflicts. To enter Safe Mode, go to Settings > System > Recovery, and click "Restart Now."

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Then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart, and when prompted, press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode. Try adjusting the brightness now. If it works in Safe Mode, a third-party app is likely causing the problem. So, you should turn off overlay software, uninstall recently installed programs, and perform some debugging to identify the culprit.

Using your computer with an uncomfortable brightness level can strain your eyes and make it frustrating to use. Hopefully, the fixes above will help you identify the root cause and resolve the issue. If this problem occurs on an external monitor, check whether you can adjust the brightness using its physical buttons or on-screen controls.